Sunday, October 21, 2012

Still a bit upset over not being allowed to take photos from Big Bang's Concert today.. resorted to GOOGLE for some snaps from this ALIVE WORLD TOUR of theirs.... most of the ones I found are from Shanghai... from what i see it is the same sets & costumes..... plus their looks are almost the same still... so am sharing here....

Got treated to a nice brunch by Juju's parents, Lyn n Shaun. At the oh-so-posh, and very private members only, World Trade Center Club - ob the 33rd Floor of the Taipei World Trade Center. This venue is mostly used for Weddings and also Bussiness Meetings...

The ambiance was everything you would expect from such a place... nice, posh, quiet, and spotless.... the food - main entrees - pricey and well presented.... i mean PASTA for NT$900 (a little over US$30.... but with each entree - one does get to have as much as he wants in the BUFFET area.... Sushi, sashimi, all kinds of salads, seafood, fruits, nachos and guacamoles, bread and cheeses, and of course, my personal fave, a wide array of sweets...

Am still very much in Heaven and still humming their songs, hours after the midday concert they had today. I have liked their videos very much and they are even better in person... Such showmen!!! All 5 members had their own flares and styles but together, they are phenomenal..

And I was elated to recognized almost all of their songs.,. And was able to sway with the rest of the crowds!!!

So happy that we got these tickets.. Such great seats and worth every penny of the US$200 plus per tix... My only complain was that no one was allowed to snap photos... So all my photos were taken before the concert started... Boo Hoo!!!

Friday, October 19, 2012

A while ago, while in Kaohsiung, we bought Gift Certificates for a one week tryout at this Gym, Being Sport - also close by to the house... Only about a 10 minute walk....

On the first day alone, I was a bit overwhelmed and intimidated... Soooo many machines and so many rooms for different types of classes: Body Combat, Stepper, all sorts of YOGA - in different levels, and dance aerobics, of course.... Of course, I want to try them all.... so each and everyday I have been doing my regular thing: Running (No waiting on machines and for as long as I want!); Iron Pumping and a class to try.... so far have tried: Adidas Yoga, Body Balance & Body Combat - the latter I like BEST as you MOVE, possibly every single muscle of your whole being.... at least it felt that way the following morning..... hahahahaha... I actually woke up this morning with sores in places I never had pain before but still could not wait to try something else..... LOL.... The only thing missing really is a swimming pool.

The place is quite nice and clean.... trainers and staff friendly enough... they leave you on your own for the moot over eager to tell you this and that - or solicit you to hire them for one on one training.... the members are nice and friendly - with most of the ladies attending to do so much of their socializing, of course...

So overall, it is a nice experience.... and if I was in Taiwan all the time, I would consider joining but with my Travel Schedule - it would be a waste as am always away for half the month almost each month... I surely will miss coming here but am sure I will be back again soon... :)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A nice way to end this Hump Day... Took in a show with The Wus, courtesy of Jewel's parents Lyn & Shaun.

The show was entertaining enough.., what you would expect for a cultural show mostly aimed at tourists... Singing, Dancing, Acrobatics, TaiKe entertainment, Chinese Folklore, Naruwan Experience, and yes, even Michael Jackson....

Overall it was entertaining enough... Even Juju was on top of the table, dancing in delight!!!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Just had one of the fastest trip to Manila.... sometimes, my schedule works out like so that I have no choice but to make a quick run to Manila; do all that I needed to do; and fly back to Taipei right away... It was OK... tiring but OK.... though I really did no get to see Family this time.... still it was OK.... I got to do what I needed to do plus I even got to visit Mom's resting place, as I will not be around come All Soul's Day....

Even got to visit a very beautiful Church from the 1500's, Taytay Church, located nearby....

Thursday, October 4, 2012

"Look in the mirrorNow that's another story to tellI give love to othersBut I give myself hell"

-"What You Are" by Jewel

At the Gym yesterday and was listening to the music in my iPhone... it was set on SHUFFLE - so it was randomly playing songs... now and again hear songs I have not heard in a long time but obviously, I like or it would not even be there to begin with....

Then this song of Jewel's from a few years back played.... it hit me like a hammer hitting a nail... had to play it again... and again... and again.... listening to the lyrics.. dissecting the lyrics.... and really feeling them.... relating to them.... got me thinking all night long and even all day long today... so I decided to put my thoughts into here....

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Maybe it is MIDLIFE CRISIS.... maybe something else... but now and again, I end up stopping myself at my tracks and starts wondering where my life has been, where it is going.... I know I have always put others before myself.... put their well being... put their happiness.... Since I can remember, I think and worry about my family all the time... worry for loved ones and friends.... and at times, even strangers.... help when I can.... give what I can.... it is just who I am... and it is something I just accepted in my life, and never questioned... till now....

The last couple of years, with all that I went through with my family, especially Mom... and with all that I go through with work, and in my personal life, I just feel so worn out.... tired not just physically but emotionally and mentally , as well... feeling a bit lost as to what is there for me.... what is left for me....

I just felt that the last few years, it was all about taking care of people... taking care of Mom when in Manila.... and then coming back to Taiwan to take care of work, Juju, and even David... I was feeling no rest.... PHYSICALLY drained..... Then I worry about work.... what has been going on... worry about the money, or lack of it, coming in.... at the same time, having Mom's medical bills hanging over my head.... this made me MENTALLY drained... And last but certainly not the least, the personal torture.... feeling lost.... feeling sooooo alone.... that with all that i have to deal with, I really had no one to run to.... shouldering on everything - mentally, physically, financially - this made me EMOTIONALLY drained....

After Mom's passing, I thought I would get a bit of rest.... that I could take off for a few months - take a breather and sort many things out - but this is not to be.... How silly of me to think that after Mom passes away, all will be sorted out and all will fall into place.... I did not think that, though I no longer have to think of where and how to raise the funds for her monthly Medical Bills, I would still have to deal with all that was accrued during her battles with cancer... and then some.... and with business being the way it is lately, I am left feeling so TIED DOWN.... as if FREEDOM is no longer in my grasp.... I have nothing but RESPONSIBILITIES hovering over my head, like dark clouds...

How NAIVE of me to think that I could just up and go and take a breather.... to live life for myself, for a change... to rest not just physically but mentally by not having to think of anyone else for a chance.... just think of myself... do what makes me happy, or just do nothing at all... my LIFE right now does not warrant me to be SELFISH.... I am in no financial state to just up and go... take off for a few months, much more a year...

Though I accept this for the most part, I still wish differently.... I still wish I could just up and go.... For now, I just deal.... go with the flow - as I always do in life.... living day to day with just one main goal: To do what is needed to make $$$ and pay off all bills and be FREE from it all.... and filling my in between days with going to the Gym, running and/or swimming to stay healthy and focused....

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

For the just passed Moon Festival, had the pleasure of going down Kaohsiung for a relaxing - as relaxing as it could get anyway - few days at The Wus...

While it was storming in Taipei, it was nice and breezy in Kaohsiung... Nice enough that we spent 2 days in a row swimming and hanging out by the pool... Thanks Liya Wu for the SPA tixs! And at night, a nice run or walk around the city...

For the most part, it was just the four of us: Liya, David, Johnny and I... Todd is away now for a year's mandatory stint with the military... And Juju and her parents could not go down south with us... Still, it was nice, quiet and relaxing... Not forgetting to mention, though this year we did not have the obligatory BBQ - an abundance of food was still Wu Mama and Wu Papa and devoured by all.... mooncakes included!!!

Trying out this the very first time...

Moon Festival Night's Feast!!!

Of course, no trip is complete without visiting Dream Mall... For the Holidays, many activities were going on that we got to enjoy.

Even got to see the beautiful Moon that is being celebrated on the night of the 30th...

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Most of you know, I lost my Mom to this terrible disease, earlier this year - after a year and so long battle.... So, needless to say, this Cause is dear to me.... I hope one day, a cure will indeed be found... but in the meantime - let us all do our share to get our love ones (family, friends, partners, etc) to take the test.... to know/learn more about it... how to detect it, and what preventative measures there are for it...

Remember: "Nobody’s immune to breast cancer. When we talk about breast cancer, there’s no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against the enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor.”

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About Me

"Most people know that I love the simple things in life.... traveling is my one TRUE Passion.... I love to dance and to keep fit, RUNNING is my exercise of choice -- though with the TAIWAN heat, am inclined to go for a swim more..."